Mr Cox got let in to Ascot

Phew, the famous bowler hatted gentlemen let me in after all (see earlier post). There were also some bowler hatted gentlewomen facilitating my passage, and great it was to see Ascot of all places striking a resounding blow for feminism. 
En route to the course from the station there was one elderly busker*, a half one-man band (i.e. playing an acoustic guitar and harmonica). His cap was brimming over with coins confirming once again that busking near a racecourse (on race days obviously) is considerably more lucrative than even the primest spot outside Waitrose. Racegoers have a tendency to be generous in the hope that their kindness will be reciprocated by the punting gods later in the day. 
Even for an obscure jumps card on a Friday in November the touts were out in force at Ascot, both buying and selling tickets. They do this openly, alongside notices warning of the perils of buying from unofficial sources, and within earshot of loudspeaker announcements telling you that if you buy a ticket from a tout it may not be valid. Needless to say everyone I saw who bought one from these 'entrepreneurs' had no trouble getting in, which must have been galling for those in the lengthy queue at the 'official' ticket counter.
Ascot has come in for something of a bad press in recent years on account of its new stand.

From a distance it is magnificent but at ground level it is reported to be a bit bleak, with poor viewing. My 'premier' pre-purchased non-tout ticket let me check all this out, and to some extent I can see where the critics are coming from. Joining those restricted to ground level the view of the racing at least could be better. It is difficult to see all the action from the viewing area in front of the grandstand, notwithstanding the otherwise excellent facilities bar/toilets/food/paddock wise.
Going up to the 4th floor though and you enter a different world. Carpeted stands, unreserved seating and a panoramic position enabling you to see the whole course with ease. I am not easily impressed but it was superb.

There has always been something about racing which brings the masses and the ruling classes together, often leaving out the middle classes in between. Ascot illustrates this phenomenon more than any other racetrack. Indeed three is even a piece of art and explanatory plaque

which celebrates this cross-class unity.
Country Living Christmas Fair day takes it even further. There is obviously the betting shop next to the caviar bar, there are the Dubai style shopping mall escalators, 

and to top it all there is 'market place' selling everything from pictures of dogs and horses on cushions, Emma Bridgewater Christmas plates (you can get one free if you subscribe to Country living Magazine), startsmart (tweed waistcoats for toddlers), and Helle Grabow scarfs (nope me neither). I was particular intrigued by a whole stall devoted to 'Chukka belts', hoping these were what an aspiring metrosexual non-candidate for the Labour leadership used to hold up his strides. Sadly no - they turned out to be a fashion item linked with Spanish polo.
The bowler hats are just as much in evidence inside the course. In fact at times there so many bowler hats in evidence it felt like I was attending a Clockwork orange convention. Actually the headgear is remarkably remarkably effective, as I ended up feeling guilty all the time, fearing I was going somewhere I shouldn't. Maybe Ascot are actually onto something. How about a premier league football club ditching the yellow jackets

for its stewards, and just getting them to wear bowler hats?
The races themselves all went off 5 minutes late. This was explained over the PA system as being because 'Ffos Las has been abandoned'. Us knowledgeable racing types all nodded sagely at this explanation. 
In truth the quality of the racing was not of the heights normally associated with Ascot. This was particularly poignant for me, because as a youngster I remember seeing on the telly what many people of my generation and older still regard as the greatest horse race of all time - Grundy v Bustino 1975. This took place at Ascot and the winner was ridden by Pat Eddery, who sadly died last week. Pat was only 63 years old, and obviously had his demons. He remains for many punters simply 'the champ.' Other jockeys were more stylish but us betting shop gamblers knew that if you backed a horse ridden by the champ your selection would be given every possible assistance from the saddle.


The Ascot authorities have been experimenting with appearance money for its chases to attract more quality entrants, but they were still only rewarded with fields too small for each way betting.
Nevertheless I think we may have seen a very good hurdler in Krugman, who is worth following in the top novice events for the rest of the season.


Next stop Newbury.

Ascot marks (out of 10)
Welcome/friendliness 7
Atmosphere 8
Betting ring (size, competitiveness) 7
Racecard (cost, quality) 6
Queues for bar 9
Viewing 9
Standard of racing 8

Total (out of 70) 54
Punting success - just about ok (thanks again to Alan King's Wishing and Hoping) *should have more generous to the busker